Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a first stacked body, a second stacked body, an intermediate conductive layer, an intermediate insulating layer, a semiconductor pillar, a charge storage film, and an insulating film. The semiconductor pillar includes a first part, a second part, and a third part. The charge storage film includes a first charge storage portion and a second charge storage portion. The charge storage film includes at least one first element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, hafnium, and aluminum. The insulating film provides in at least a portion between the intermediate conductive layer and the first part. The insulating film not includes the first element, or the insulating film has a concentration of the first element lower than a concentration of the first element of the charge storage film.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/264,903, filed Sep. 14, 2016, which is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/306,672,filed on Mar. 11, 2016; the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a semiconductor memorydevice and a method for manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND

A semiconductor memory device that has a three-dimensional structure inwhich memory cells are arranged three-dimensionally has been proposed.When manufacturing such a semiconductor memory device, a stacked bodythat includes multiple conductive layers is formed on a substrate. Then,holes that pierce the stacked body are formed. When increasing thenumber of stacks of the stacked body, it becomes difficult to form theholes by collective patterning. It is desirable to be able to increasethe number of stacks and increase the memory capacity per surface area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic views showing a semiconductor memorydevice according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic views showing a semiconductor memorydevice according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic views showing a semiconductor memorydevice according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 4A to FIG. 7B are cross-sectional views of processes, showing themethod for manufacturing the semiconductor memory device according tothe fourth embodiment;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic cross-sectional views in order of theprocesses, showing the method for manufacturing the semiconductor memorydevice according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic cross-sectional views in order of theprocesses, showing the method for manufacturing the semiconductor memorydevice according to a sixth embodiment; and

FIG. 10A to FIG. 11D are schematic cross-sectional views in order of theprocesses, showing the method for manufacturing the semiconductor memorydevice according to a seventh embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment, includes afirst stacked body, a second stacked body, an intermediate conductivelayer, an intermediate insulating layer, a semiconductor pillar, acharge storage film, and an insulating film. The first stacked bodyincludes a plurality of first conductive layers arranged in a firstdirection. The second stacked body is arranged in the first directionwith the first stacked body and includes a plurality of secondconductive layers arranged in the first direction. The intermediateconductive layer provides between the first stacked body and the secondstacked body. The intermediate insulating layer provides between theintermediate conductive layer and the second stacked body. Thesemiconductor pillar includes a first part, a second part, and a thirdpart. The first part extends in the first direction through the firststacked body and through the intermediate conductive layer. The secondpart extends in the first direction through the second stacked body. Thethird part is provided inside the intermediate insulating layer and iscontinuous with the first part and the second part. A central axis ofthe first part is shifted from a central axis of the second part in asecond direction intersecting the first direction. The charge storagefilm includes a first charge storage portion and a second charge storageportion. The first charge storage portion is provided between the firststacked body and the first part. The second charge storage portion isprovided between the second stacked body and the second part and betweenthe intermediate insulating layer and the third part. The charge storagefilm includes at least one first element selected from the groupconsisting of nitrogen, hafnium, and aluminum. The insulating filmprovides in at least a portion between the intermediate conductive layerand the first part. The insulating film not includes the first element,or the insulating film has a concentration of the first element lowerthan a concentration of the first element of the charge storage film.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic views showing a semiconductor memorydevice according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the semiconductor memorydevice according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a perspective viewshowing the configuration of a charge storage film of the semiconductormemory device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the semiconductor memory device 110 according tothe embodiment includes a base body BS, a first stacked body ML1, anintermediate conductive layer 31, an intermediate insulating layer 32, asecond stacked body ML2, a semiconductor pillar 50, a memory film 40,and an insulating film 61.

The first stacked body ML1 is provided on a major surface BSm of thebase body BS. The second stacked body ML2 is provided on the firststacked body ML1. The intermediate conductive layer 31 is providedbetween the first stacked body ML1 and the second stacked body ML2. Theintermediate insulating layer 32 is provided between the intermediateconductive layer 31 and the second stacked body ML2.

A direction from the first stacked body ML1 toward the second stackedbody ML2 is taken as a Z-direction. The major surface BSm intersects theZ-direction. One direction perpendicular to the Z-direction is taken asan X-direction. A direction perpendicular to the Z-direction and theX-direction is taken as a Y-direction.

The semiconductor pillar 50 includes a first part P1 extending in theZ-direction through the first stacked body ML1 and through theintermediate conductive layer 31, a second part P2 extending in theZ-direction through the second stacked body ML2 at a different positionfrom the first part P1, and a third part P3 that is provided inside theintermediate insulating layer 32 and is continuous with the first partP1 and the second part P2. For example, a central axis of the first partP1 is shifted from a central axis of the second part P2 in a direction(for example, X-direction or Y-direction) crossing the Z-direction.

The memory film 40 includes, for example, a blocking insulating film 41,a charge storage film 42, and a tunneling insulating film 43. The memoryfilm 40 is provided between the first part P1 and the first stacked bodyML1, between the third part P3 and the intermediate insulating layer 32,and between the second part P2 and the second stacked body ML2. Thememory film 40 is discontinuous between the first part P1 and theintermediate conductive layer 31. For example, the memory film 40 is notprovided between the first part P1 and the intermediate conductive layer31.

The charge storage film 42 includes a first charge storage portion 42 aand a second charge storage portion 42 b. The first charge storageportion 42 a is provided between the first part P1 and the first stackedbody ML1. The second charge storage portion 42 b is provided between thesecond part P2 and the second stacked body ML2. The second chargestorage portion 42 b is provided also between the third part P3 and theintermediate insulating layer 32.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the charge storage portion 42 a and the chargestorage portion 42 b each have tubular configurations. The first chargestorage portion 42 a is provided to be separated from the second chargestorage portion 42 b in the Z-direction. As shown in FIG. 1A, the firstcharge storage portion 42 a is discontinuous with the second chargestorage portion 42 b between the first part P1 and the intermediateconductive layer 31. For example, there is no charge storage film 42between the first part P1 and the intermediate conductive layer 31.

The blocking insulating film 41 is provided between the first chargestorage portion 42 a and the first stacked body ML1, between the secondcharge storage portion 42 b and the intermediate insulating layer 32,and between the second charge storage portion 42 b and the secondstacked body ML2.

The tunneling insulating film 43 is provided between the first part P1and the first charge storage portion 42 a, between the third part P3 andthe second charge storage portion 42 b, and between the second part P2and the second charge storage portion 42 b.

The insulating film 61 is provided in at least a portion between thefirst part P1 and the intermediate conductive layer 31. Thesemiconductor pillar 50 is insulated from the intermediate conductivelayer 31 by the insulating film 61.

The semiconductor pillar 50 includes, for example, a semiconductor film51. The semiconductor pillar 50 may include a core insulating film 52 inaddition to the semiconductor film 51. The core insulating film 52extends in the Z-direction through the first stacked body ML1, throughthe intermediate conductive layer 31, through the intermediateinsulating layer 32, and through the second stacked body ML2. Thesemiconductor film 51 is provided between the core insulating film 52and the memory film 40 and between the core insulating film 52 and theinsulating film 61. For example, a thickness t1 of the semiconductorfilm 51 between the core insulating film 52 and the memory film 40 isthinner than a thickness t2 of the semiconductor film 51 between thecore insulating film 52 and the insulating film 61. For example, thethickness t1 and the thickness t2 are lengths in one directionperpendicular to the Z-direction.

The charge storage film 42 includes at least one first element selectedfrom the group consisting of nitrogen, hafnium, and aluminum. Theinsulating film 61 includes, for example, silicon oxide. Theconcentration of the first element of the insulating film 61 is lowerthan the concentration of the first element of the charge storage film42. The insulating film 61 may not include the first element. At least aportion of the insulating film 61 does not overlap the charge storagefilm 42 in a direction (e.g., the X-direction) intersecting theZ-direction.

In other words, in the embodiment, the memory film 40 that includes thecharge storage film 42 is not provided between the intermediateconductive layer 31 and the first part P1.

On the other hand, there is a reference example in which the memory film40 that includes the charge storage film 42 is provided also between theintermediate conductive layer 31 and the first part P1. In the referenceexample, for example, if the intermediate conductive layer 31 includes astepped portion 31 s as shown in FIG. 1A, fluctuation of the thresholdvoltage caused by the stepped portion 31 s occurs.

Conversely, in the embodiment, there is no memory film 40 including thecharge storage film 42 between the first part P1 and the intermediateconductive layer 31 including the stepped portion 31 s. Thereby, thefluctuation of the threshold voltage is reduced even in the case wherethe intermediate conductive layer 31 includes the stepped portion 31 s.

In the embodiment, the insulating film 61 is provided between theintermediate conductive layer 31 and the first part P1 instead of thememory film 40 including the charge storage film 42 recited above. Thefirst part P1 (the semiconductor film 51) and the intermediateconductive layer 31 are electrically insulated by the insulating film61.

As described below, for example, the first part P1 and the second partP2 recited above are formed by forming holes in each of the firststacked body ML1 and the second stacked body ML2 and forming thesemiconductor film 51 inside these holes. By the positions of these twoholes being shifted, the positions of the first part P1 and the secondpart P2 are shifted; and the stepped portion 31 s occurs. In theembodiment, at least a portion of the insulating film 61 does notoverlap the charge storage film 42 in a direction (e.g., theX-direction) intersecting the Z-direction. In other words, there is nomemory film 40 including the charge storage film 42 between the firstpart P1 and the intermediate conductive layer 31. Thereby, thefluctuation of the threshold voltage is reduced even if the steppedportion 31 s occurs. In the embodiment, for example, even if the numberof stacks increases, good characteristics can be maintained. Forexample, to easily increase the number of stacks; and the memorycapacity per surface area can be increased.

In the example, the first stacked body ML1 includes multiple firstconductive layers 11 arranged in the Z-direction. In the example, thefirst stacked body ML1 includes the multiple first conductive layers 11and multiple first insulating layers 12 arranged alternately along theZ-direction.

The second stacked body ML2 includes multiple second conductive layers21 arranged in the Z-direction. In the example, the second stacked bodyML2 includes the multiple second conductive layers 21 and multiplesecond insulating layers 22 arranged alternately in the Z-direction.

The third part P3 is wider than each of the first part P1 and the secondpart P2. In other words, the length of the third part P3 in at least onedirection (e.g., at least one of a X-direction or a Y-direction)intersecting the Z-direction is longer than each of the length of thefirst part P1 in the one direction (e.g., the at least one of theX-direction or the Y-direction) recited above intersecting theZ-direction and the length of the second part P2 in the one direction(e.g., the at least one of the X-direction or the Y-direction) recitedabove intersecting the Z-direction.

There is a reference example in which the first part P1 and the secondpart P2 are connected without providing the third part P3. A connectionunit between the first part P1 and the second part P2 is positionedinside the intermediate insulating layer 32. In the reference example,the semiconductor film 51 is bent at a portion distal to theintermediate conductive layer 31 and the second conductive layer 21. Inthe case where the semiconductor film 51 is bent at the portion distalto the intermediate conductive layer 31 and the second conductive layer21, the resistance of the semiconductor film 51 increases. For example,the ON current decreases due to the increase of the resistance of thesemiconductor film 51.

In the embodiment, the third part P3 is provided between the first partP1 and the second part P2. The third part P3 is wider than each of thefirst part P1 and the second part P2. The first part P1 and the secondpart P2 are connected smoothly by the third part P3. The bend of thesemiconductor film 51 at the portion distal to the intermediateconductive layer 31 and the second conductive layer 21 is suppressed bythe third part P3. For example, the increase of the resistance of thesemiconductor film 51 is suppressed. Thereby, a good ON current can bemaintained.

In the embodiment, even in the case where the positions of the firstpart P1 and the second part P2 are shifted and the stepped portion 31 soccurs, the bend of the semiconductor film 51 at the portion distal tothe intermediate conductive layer 31 and the second conductive layer 21is suppressed; and a good ON current can be maintained. Thereby, a goodON current can be maintained even in the case where the number of stacksin the stacked body is increased and the positions of the multiple holesare shifted. In the embodiment, for example, even if the number ofstacks is increased, good characteristics can be maintained. Forexample, to easily increase the number of stacks; and the memorycapacity per surface area can be increased.

Second Embodiment

In the embodiment, there is a region where there is no memory film 40 ina portion between the intermediate conductive layer 31 and the firstpart P1. The insulating film 61 is provided in this region.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic views showing a semiconductor memorydevice according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing the semiconductor memorydevice according to the second embodiment. FIG. 2B is a perspective viewshowing the configuration of the charge storage film of thesemiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment.

In the semiconductor memory device 120 according to the embodiment asshown in FIG. 2A, the memory film 40 that includes the charge storagefilm 42 is provided in a portion between the intermediate conductivelayer 31 and the first part P1. The insulating film 61 is providedbetween the memory film 40 and the intermediate conductive layer 31 andin another portion between the first part P1 and the intermediateconductive layer 31.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in the charge storage film 42, at least portions ofthe first charge storage portion 42 a and the second charge storageportion 42 b are linked.

In the embodiment, the third part P3 is provided between the first partP1 and the second part P2. The first part P1 and the second part P2 areconnected smoothly by the third part P3. Thereby, a good ON current canbe maintained. In the embodiment, for example, even if the number ofstacks is increased, good characteristics can be maintained. Forexample, to easily increase the number of stacks; and the memorycapacity per surface area can be increased.

Third Embodiment

In the embodiment, there is a region where there is no memory film 40 orsemiconductor film 51 in a portion between the intermediate conductivelayer 31 and the core insulating film 52. The insulating film 61 isprovided in this region.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic views showing a semiconductor memorydevice according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the semiconductor memorydevice according to the third embodiment. FIG. 3B is a perspective viewshowing the configuration of the semiconductor film of the semiconductormemory device according to the third embodiment.

In the semiconductor memory device 130 according to the embodiment asshown in FIG. 3A, the memory film 40 that includes the charge storagefilm 42 is provided in a portion between the intermediate conductivelayer 31 and the first part P1. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, theinsulating film 61 is provided in another portion between theintermediate conductive layer 31 and the core insulating film 52 of thefirst part P1. The semiconductor film 51 is not provided between thecore insulating film 52 and the insulating film 61.

The insulating film 61 may be formed as one body with the coreinsulating film 52. In other words, a boundary may not exist between theinsulating film 61 and the core insulating film 52.

In the embodiment, the third part P3 is provided between the first partP1 and the second part P2. The first part P1 and the second part P2 areconnected smoothly by the third part P3. Thereby, a good ON current isobtained. In the embodiment, for example, even if the number of stacksis increased, good characteristics can be maintained. For example, toeasily increase the number of stacks; and the memory capacity persurface area can be increased.

Fourth Embodiment

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device according tothe embodiment corresponds to the method for manufacturing thesemiconductor memory device 110.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 7B are cross-sectional views of processes, showing themethod for manufacturing the semiconductor memory device according tothe fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a first structure body MLf1 is formed on the majorsurface BSm of the base body BS. The first structure body MLf1 is formedby stacking multiple first films 11 f and multiple second films 12 falternately. The first film 11 f is a film including silicon nitride.The second film 12 f is a film including silicon oxide.

An intermediate film 31 f is formed on the first structure body MLf1. Anintermediate insulating film 32 f is formed on the intermediate film 31f. The intermediate film 31 f is formed using a material different fromthe first film 11 f and the second film 12 f. For example, theintermediate film 31 f is formed using at least one of aluminum oxide orhafnium oxide.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a first hole MH1 is formed in the first structurebody MLf1, the intermediate film 31 f, and the intermediate insulatingfilm 32 f. The first hole MH1 pierces the first structure body MLf1, theintermediate film 31 f, and the intermediate insulating film 32 f in theZ-direction.

As shown in FIG. 4C, a first member 71 is formed inside the first holeMH1. For example, the first member 71 is formed of a material includingpolysilicon. At this time, the first member 71 is not formed at theportion of the first hole MH1 piercing the intermediate insulating film32 f. In other words, the first member 71 is formed in the portion ofthe first hole MH1 piercing the first structure body MLf1 and theportion of the first hole MH1 piercing the intermediate film 31 f.

As shown in FIG. 4D, a portion of the intermediate insulating film 32 finside the first hole MH1 is removed. For example, the portion of theintermediate insulating film 32 f is etched via the first hole MH1.Thereby, the portion of the intermediate insulating film 32 f isremoved. The diameter of a portion of the first hole MH1 is increased byremoving the portion of the intermediate insulating film 32 f.

Thereby, the first hole MH1 that includes a first region MHr1 and asecond region MHr2 is formed, where the first region MHr1 extends alongthe Z-direction through the first structure body MLf1 and through theintermediate film 31 f, and the second region MHr2 is continuous withthe first region MHr1 and extends along the Z-direction through theintermediate insulating film 32 f. The diameter of the second regionMHr2 is larger than the diameter of the first region MHr1.

As shown in FIG. 4E, a second member 72 is formed inside the secondregion MHr2. For example, the second member 72 is formed of a materialincluding polysilicon. Thereby, the first hole MH1 is filled with thefirst member 71 and the second member 72.

As shown in FIG. 4F, a second structure body MLf2 is formed on theintermediate insulating film 32 f and on the second member 72. Forexample, multiple third films 21 f and multiple fourth films 22 f arestacked alternately on the intermediate insulating film 32 f and on thesecond member 72. Thereby, the second structure body is formed. Thethird film 21 f is a film including silicon nitride. The fourth film 22f is a film including silicon oxide.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a second hole MH2 that extends along theZ-direction through the second structure body MLf2 at a differentposition from the first region MHr1 is formed. The second hole MH2reaches the second region MHr2. The second hole MH2 is continuous withthe first hole MH1.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the first member 71 and the second member 72 thatare inside the first hole MH1 are removed. For example, the first member71 and the second member 72 are removed by introducing a prescribedetchant to the first hole MH1 via the second hole MH2.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the memory film 40 is formed on the inner wall ofthe first hole MH1 and the side wall of the second hole MH2. Forexample, the blocking insulating film 41 is formed on the inner wall ofthe first hole MH1 and the side wall of the second hole MH2. The chargestorage film 42 is formed on the inner wall of the blocking insulatingfilm 41. The tunneling insulating film 43 is formed on the inner wall ofthe charge storage film 42. Thereby, the memory film that includes theblocking insulating film 41, the charge storage film 42, and thetunneling insulating film 43 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 5D, the memory film 40 that is formed on the bottom ofthe first hole MH1 is removed. At this time, the memory film 40 remainson the side wall of the first hole MH1 and the side wall of the secondhole MH2. For example, RIE (reactive ion etching) is performed using amask (not shown). Thereby, the memory film 40 that is formed on thebottom of the first hole MH1 is removed. At this time, a portion of thememory film 40 formed on the side wall of the intermediate film 31 f maybe removed.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the semiconductor film 51 is formed on the sidewall of the memory film 40 and the bottom of the first hole MH1. In thecase where a portion of the intermediate film 31 f is exposed from thememory film 40 inside the first hole MH1, the semiconductor film 51 isformed also on the exposed surface of the intermediate film 31 f.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the core insulating film 52 is formed inside thefirst hole MH1 and inside the second hole MH2. The first hole MH1 andthe second hole MH2 are filled with the core insulating film 52.Thereby, the semiconductor pillar 50 that includes the semiconductorfilm 51 and the core insulating film 52 is formed inside the first holeMH1 and inside the second hole MH2.

The intermediate film 31 f is removed as shown in FIG. 6C. For example,a slit (not shown) that pierces the first structure body MLf1, theintermediate film 31 f, the intermediate insulating film 32 f, and thesecond structure body MLf2 in the Z-direction is formed. Theintermediate film 31 f is etched by introducing a prescribed etchant tothe slit. The etching is performed at conditions such that the etchingrate of the intermediate film 31 f is higher than each of the etchingrate of the first structure body MLf1, the etching rate of theintermediate insulating film 32 f, and the etching rate of the secondstructure body MLf2. Thereby, the intermediate film 31 f is removed.

As shown in FIG. 6D, a portion of the memory film 40 is removed via afirst space SP1 made where the intermediate film 31 f was removed.Thereby, a portion of the semiconductor film 51 is exposed inside thefirst space SP1.

The first films 11 f and the third films 21 f are removed as shown inFIG. 7A. For example, the first films 11 f and the third films 21 f areremoved by introducing a prescribed etchant to the slit (not shown)described above. Second spaces SP2 are formed by removing the firstfilms 11 f. Third spaces SP3 are formed by removing the third films 21f.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a portion of the semiconductor film 51 inside thefirst space SP1 is oxidized. For example, the portion of thesemiconductor film 51 is oxidized by introducing an oxidizing agent tothe first space SP1. Thereby, the insulating film 61 is formed betweenthe first space SP1 and the remainder of the semiconductor film 51.

A conductive material is provided inside the first space SP1, inside thesecond spaces SP2, and inside the third spaces SP3. Thereby, as shown inFIG. 1A, the intermediate conductive layer 31 is formed inside the firstspace SP1. The first conductive layers 11 are formed inside the secondspaces SP2. The second conductive layers 21 are formed inside the thirdspaces SP3. The multiple second films 12 f are used as the multiplefirst insulating layers 12. The multiple fourth films 22 f are used asthe multiple second insulating layers 22. The first structure body MLf1is used as the first stacked body ML1. The second structure body MLf2 isused as the second stacked body ML2.

By implementing the processes recited above, the semiconductor memorydevice 110 can be manufactured.

In the embodiment, the formation of the hole piercing the structure bodyis performed by dividing into two formations. In other words, theintermediate film 31 f, the intermediate insulating film 32 f, and thesecond structure body MLf2 are formed on the first structure body MLf1after forming the first hole MH1 in the first structure body MLf1.Subsequently, the second hole MH2 is formed. Thereby, a hole can beformed that is deeper than the depth of a hole that can be formed as awhole in the structure body.

In the case where the formation of the hole is performed by dividinginto two formations, a portion of the memory film formed inside the holemay be removed. In the embodiment, the insulating film 61 is formed byoxidizing the semiconductor film 51 exposed from the memory film 40.Thereby, shorts between the semiconductor pillar 50 (the semiconductorfilm 51) and the conductive layers (e.g., the intermediate conductivelayer 31, etc.) can be suppressed. The yield of the manufacturingprocesses of the semiconductor memory device increases.

Fifth Embodiment

The embodiment corresponds to a method for manufacturing thesemiconductor memory device 120 according to the second embodimentdescribed above.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic cross-sectional views in order of theprocesses, showing the method for manufacturing the semiconductor memorydevice according to the fifth embodiment.

Similarly to the manufacturing method according to the fourth embodimentdescribed above, the processes shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 6C areimplemented.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the insulating film 61 is formed on the inner wallof the first space SP1. The first films 11 f and the third films 21 fare removed as shown in FIG. 8B. The second spaces SP2 are formed byremoving the first films 11 f. The third spaces SP3 are formed byremoving the third films 21 f.

A conductive material is provided inside the first space SP1, inside thesecond spaces SP2, and inside the third spaces SP3. Thereby, as shown inFIG. 2A, the intermediate conductive layer 31 is formed inside the firstspace SP1. The first conductive layers 11 are formed inside the secondspaces SP2. The second conductive layers 21 are formed inside the thirdspaces SP3. The multiple second films 12 f are used as the multiplefirst insulating layers 12. The multiple fourth films 22 f are used asthe multiple second insulating layers 22. The first structure body MLf1is used as the first stacked body ML1. The second structure body MLf2 isused as the second stacked body ML2. The formation of the insulatingfilm 61 may be performed after the formation of the second space SP2 andthe third space SP3. In this case, the insulating film 61 is formed alsoon an inner wall of the first space SP1, an inner wall of the secondspace SP1 and an inner wall of third space SP3.

By implementing the processes recited above, the semiconductor memorydevice 120 can be manufactured.

In the embodiment, the process of removing the memory film exposedinside the first space SP1 is omitted. Thereby, the number of processescan be reduced.

Sixth Embodiment

The embodiment corresponds to a method for manufacturing thesemiconductor memory device 130 according to the third embodimentdescribed above.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic cross-sectional views in order of theprocesses, showing the method for manufacturing the semiconductor memorydevice according to the sixth embodiment.

Similarly to the manufacturing method according to the fourth embodimentdescribed above, the processes shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 6C areimplemented.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the insulating film 61 is formed by oxidizing theportion of the semiconductor film 51 exposed from the memory film 40inside the first space SP1. For example, an oxidizing agent isintroduced to the first space SP1. The portion of the semiconductor film51 exposed from the memory film 40 is oxidized by the oxidizing agent.

The first films 11 f and the third films 21 f are removed as shown inFIG. 9B. The second spaces SP2 are formed by removing the first films 11f. The third spaces SP3 are formed by removing the third films 21 f.

A conductive material is provided inside the first space SP1, inside thesecond spaces SP2, and inside the third spaces SP3. Thereby, as shown inFIG. 2A, the intermediate conductive layer 31 is formed inside the firstspace SP1. The first conductive layers 11 are formed inside the secondspaces SP2. The second conductive layers 21 are formed inside the thirdspaces SP3. The multiple second films 12 f are used as the multiplefirst insulating layers 12. The multiple fourth films 22 f are used asthe multiple second insulating layers 22. The first structure body MLf1is used as the first stacked body ML1. The second structure body MLf2 isused as the second stacked body ML2.

By implementing the processes recited above, the semiconductor memorydevice 130 can be manufactured.

In the embodiment, the process of removing the memory film exposedinside the first space SP1 is omitted. Thereby, the number of processescan be reduced.

Seventh Embodiment

The embodiment corresponds to a method for manufacturing thesemiconductor memory device 130 according to the third embodiment. Theembodiment is a manufacturing method in the case where the intermediatefilm 31 f is not formed between the first structure body MLf1 and theintermediate insulating film 32 f.

FIG. 10A to FIG. 11D are schematic cross-sectional views in order of theprocesses, showing the method for manufacturing the semiconductor memorydevice according to the seventh embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the first structure body MLf1 is formed on themajor surface BSm of the base body BS. The first structure body MLf1 isformed by stacking the multiple first films 11 f and the multiple secondfilms 12 f alternately on the major surface BSm. The first film 11 f isa film including silicon nitride. The second film 12 f is a filmincluding silicon oxide. A hole (the first region MHr1) is formed in thefirst structure body MLf1.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the first member 71 is formed inside the firstregion MHr1. The intermediate insulating film 32 f is formed on thefirst structure body MLf1 and on the first member 71. A hole (the secondregion MHr2) is formed in the intermediate insulating film 32 f. Forexample, the diameter of the second region MHr2 is larger than thediameter of the first region MHr1. Thereby, the first hole MH1 thatincludes the first region MHr1 and the second region MHr2 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the second member 72 is formed inside the secondregion MHr2. The second structure body MLf2 is formed on theintermediate insulating film 32 f and on the second member 72. Thesecond structure body MLf2 is formed by stacking the multiple thirdfilms 21 f and the multiple fourth films 22 f alternately on theintermediate insulating film 32 f and on the second member 72.

The second hole MH2 that extends in the Z-direction through the secondstructure body MLf2 is formed at a different position from the firsthole MH1. The second hole MH2 is continuous with the first hole MH1. Thefirst member 71 and the second member 72 are removed as shown in FIG.10D.

As shown in FIG. 10E, the memory film 40 is formed on the inner wall ofthe first hole MH1 and the side wall of the second hole MH2. Forexample, the blocking insulating film 41 is formed on the inner wall ofthe first hole MH1 and the side wall of the second hole MH2. The chargestorage film 42 is formed on the inner wall of the blocking insulatingfilm 41. The tunneling insulating film 43 is formed on the inner wall ofthe charge storage film 42. Thereby, the memory film 40 that includesthe blocking insulating film 41, the charge storage film 42, and thetunneling insulating film 43 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 10F, the portion of the memory film 40 formed on thebottom of the first hole MH1 is removed. For example, a mask (not shown)is formed on the second structure body MLf2. Subsequently, RIE isperformed using the mask (not shown). Thereby, the portion of the memoryfilm 40 formed on the bottom of the first hole MH1 is removed. At thistime, a portion of the memory film formed on the side wall of the firsthole MH1 may be removed. Further, a portion of the first film 11 f mostdistal to the base body BS of the first films 11 f included in the firststructure body MLf1 may be removed in addition to the portion of thememory film 40. In such a case, a stepped portion 11 s is formed in thefirst film 11 f.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the semiconductor film 51 is formed on the bottomof the first hole MH1, the inner wall of the memory film 40, and thestepped portion 11 s.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the core insulating film 52 is formed inside thefirst hole MH1. The first hole MH1 is filled with the core insulatingfilm 52. Thereby, the semiconductor pillar 50 that includes the coreinsulating film 52 and the semiconductor film 51 is formed inside thefirst hole MH1.

The first films 11 f and the second films are removed as shown in FIG.11C. The second spaces SP2 are formed by removing the first films 11 f.The third spaces SP3 are formed by removing the third films 21 f. Atthis time, a portion of the semiconductor film 51 is exposed from thememory film 40 in the second spaces SP2.

The portion of the semiconductor film 51 exposed from the memory film 40is oxidized via the second spaces SP2. The oxidized portion of thesemiconductor film 51 is used as the insulating film 61.

The insulating film 61 may be formed on the inner wall of the firstspace SP1, the inner wall of the second space SP2 and the inner wall ofthe third space SP3. In this case, a film including silicon oxide isformed on the inner wall of the first space SP1, the inner wall of thesecond space SP2 and the inner wall of the third space SP3. Thereby, theinsulating film 61 is formed.

Subsequently, conductive layers (the first conductive layers 11, theintermediate conductive layer 31, and the second conductive layers 21)are formed inside the second spaces SP2 and inside the third spaces SP3.Thereby, the semiconductor memory device 130 shown in FIG. 3A ismanufactured. In the embodiment, the conductive layer most distal to thebase body BS of the conductive layers formed inside the second spacesSP2 corresponds to the intermediate conductive layer 31. The firststructure body MLf1 is used as the first stacked body ML1 including themultiple first conductive layers 11 and the multiple first insulatinglayers 12. The second structure body MLf2 is used as the second stackedbody ML2 including the multiple second conductive layers 21 and themultiple second insulating layers 22. In the case where the steppedportion 11 s is formed in the first film 11 f, the intermediateconductive layer 31 is formed by inheriting the configuration of thestepped portion 11 s. In such a case, the intermediate conductive layer31 includes the stepped portion 31 s.

In the embodiment, the insulating film 61 can be formed by omitting theformation of the intermediate film 31 f and the removal of theintermediate film 31 f. Thereby, the number of manufacturing processescan be reduced.

According to the embodiments described above, for example, asemiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing thesemiconductor memory device can be realized in which the memory capacityper surface area can be increased.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor memory device, comprising: astacked body including a first stacked unit and a second stacked unitstacked above the first stacked unit, each of the first and secondstacked units including a plurality of first electrode layersalternately stacked with a plurality of first insulating layerstherebetween, and a first intermediate layer provided above the firststacked unit and below the second stacked unit, a thickness of the firstintermediate layer being greater than a thickness of the firstinsulating layers; a semiconductor pillar piercing the stacked body in astacking direction of the stacked body, the semiconductor pillarincluding a first semiconductor film portion covering an outer peripheryof a first core insulator part extending in the a first stacked unit anda second semiconductor film portion covering an outer periphery of asecond core insulator part extending in the a second stacked unit, thefirst semiconductor film portion and the second semiconductor filmportion having asymmetric configurations with respect to the firstintermediate layer; a first charge storage film provided between thefirst semiconductor film portion and one part of the first electrodelayers included in the first stacked unit; and a second charge storagefilm provided between the second semiconductor film portion and anotherpart of the first electrode layers included in the second stacked unit,wherein the first semiconductor film portion is electrically connectedto the second semiconductor film portion via a third semiconductor filmportion provided in the first intermediate layer, and the first chargestorage film is discontinuous with the second charge storage film. 2.The device according to claim 1, wherein the first charge storage filmand the second charge storage film are not provided between the thirdsemiconductor film portion and the first intermediate layer.
 3. Thedevice according to claim 2, wherein a film thickness of the thirdsemiconductor film portion is different from a film thickness of thefirst semiconductor film portion and a film thickness of the secondsemiconductor film portion.
 4. The device according to claim 2, whereinthe stacked body further includes a second intermediate layer providedbetween the first intermediate layer and the second stacked unit, thesemiconductor pillar piercing the second intermediate layer in thestacking direction.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein athickness of the second intermediate layer is greater than a thicknessof the first insulating layers.
 6. The device according to claim 4,wherein the second intermediate layer is insulative.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 4, further comprising: a tunneling insulating filmprovided between the second semiconductor film portion and the secondcharge storage film.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein thetunneling insulating film is also provided between the semiconductorpillar and the second intermediate layer.
 9. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the first charge storage film and the second chargestorage film have tubular configurations.
 10. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the thickness of the first intermediate layer isgreater than a thickness of the first electrode layers.
 11. Asemiconductor memory device, comprising: a first stacked body includinga plurality of first electrode layers alternately stacked with aplurality of first insulating layers therebetween; a second stacked bodyincluding a plurality of second electrode layers alternately stackedwith a plurality of second insulating layers therebetween; a firstsemiconductor film portion covering an outer periphery of a first coreinsulator part extending inside the first stacked body; a secondsemiconductor film portion covering an outer periphery of a second coreinsulator part extending inside the second stacked body; a firstintermediate layer provided above the first stacked body and below thesecond stacked body, a thickness of the first intermediate layer beinggreater than a thickness of the first insulating layers and a thicknessof the second insulating layers, the first semiconductor film portionand the second semiconductor film portion having asymmetricconfigurations with respect to the first intermediate layer; and a thirdsemiconductor film portion extending inside the first intermediatelayer, the first semiconductor film portion being electrically connectedto the second semiconductor film portion via the third semiconductorfilm portion, and the first, second and third semiconductor filmportions being provided in a hole piercing the first and second stackedbodies and the first intermediate layer in a stacking direction of thefirst and second stacked bodies; wherein a first memory cell provided inthe first stacked body includes a first charge storage film providedbetween the first semiconductor film portion and one of the firstelectrode layers; and a second memory cell provided in the secondstacked body includes a second charge storage film provided between thesecond semiconductor film portion and one of the second electrodelayers, the second charge storage film being discontinuous with thefirst charge storage film.
 12. The device according to claim 11, whereinthe first charge storage film and the second charge storage film are notprovided between the third semiconductor film portion and the firstintermediate layer.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein a filmthickness of the third semiconductor film portion is different from afilm thickness of the first semiconductor film portion and a filmthickness of the second semiconductor film portion.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 12, further comprising: a second intermediate layerprovided between the first intermediate layer and the second stackedbody, a fourth semiconductor film portion being provided between thesecond semiconductor film portion and the third semiconductor filmportion inside the second intermediate layer.
 15. The device accordingto claim 14, wherein a thickness of the second intermediate layer isgreater than a thickness of the first insulating layers and a thicknessof the second insulating layers.
 16. The device according to claim 14,wherein the second intermediate layer is insulative.
 17. The deviceaccording to claim 14, further comprising: a tunneling insulating filmprovided between the second semiconductor film portion and the secondcharge storage film.
 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein thetunneling insulating film is also provided between the fourthsemiconductor film portion and the second intermediate layer.
 19. Thedevice according to claim 11, wherein the first charge storage film andthe second charge storage film have tubular configurations.
 20. Thedevice according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of the firstintermediate layer is greater than a thickness of the first electrodelayers and a thickness of the second electrode layers.